8 CHARAKTERSTUCKE OP 15

Composer: HAAS, JOSEF

As a pupil of Reger, Josef Haas exerted a great influence on the development o f church music in the 20th Century. These organ pieces were written in 1907 an d are published here in a new edition to mark the 125th anniversary of the com poser's birth. While the influence of Max Reger is evident, these compositions are full of lovely musical ideas: the little pieces will be equally effective whether they are played individually as part of a church service or performed as a cycle in a concert setting. The expansive Prelude, the charming Idyll, th e heartfelt Romance, the witty Capriccio, the clear lines of the Intermezzo, t he Moment Musical with its staccato bass, the Canzone and finally the powerful Toccata all reveal a Romantic organist whom many lovers of the instrument shou ld enjoy rediscovering.